Three Wajir sub-counties ‘bearing brunt of cholera’

Three sub-counties in Wajir have borne the brunt of cholera outbreak, the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) says.

In a statement to media houses, KRCS communications manager Arnolda Shiundu said Wajir West, East and South are the hardest hit areas, adding that four new cases were reported in Barmil but the situation has been contained.

“There was also a case in Wagalla where a senior chief was affected. More cholera control measures will be enhanced in Barmil, Wagalla and Leheley,” he said, adding: “As at August 22, there was a total line listing of 257, 37 inpatient cases, eight Cholera Treatment Centre admissions for the day and 22 were discharges.” KRSC has set up a desk for contact tracing and health education at the CTC, he said.

The organisation has also embarked on the chlorination of shallow wells, food quality control and surveillance, data collection and reporting to address the outbreak. “Some 13 villages have benefited from the chlorination of wells,” said Shiundu.

Cholera outbreaks can largely be attributed to unsanitary living conditions and consumption of unclean water. The current outbreak in Wajir prompted the county’s referral hospital to set up a quarantine ward to help reduce new cases.

There has been a number of cholera outbreaks in the country in the past few months and according to the Ministry of Health, a total of 4,938 cases and 97 deaths were reported as at June 29, since the outbreak began in 2014.